OUR VIEW: Means setting new course in Attalla

Published: Friday, November 9, 2012 at 6:36 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 9, 2012 at 6:37 p.m.

Larry Means lost his job as an Alabama state senator in the wake of an investigation into alleged corruption related to electronic gambling. Now, he’s approaching Montgomery from a different angle.

Means was defeated in 2010, when Republicans rolled to a supermajority in both the House and Senate. He and several other long-serving Democrats from around the state lost their seats that year. His fate might have been the same without the gambling cloud hanging over him, but that’s something we’ll never know. What we do know is that Means and his fellow defendants were found not guilty. Prosecutors tried twice, but couldn’t build a case that Means did anything wrong.

The legal battle was difficult for Means on many levels, and it would be easy to understand if he had decided never to delve into politics again. But he did, and Attalla voters returned him to the office he held before being elected to the state Senate. He was elected mayor without a runoff over three opponents.

Means has wasted little time in setting a new course for Attalla. He’s already brought in a new police chief and director of public works, and while he may not be burning the midnight oil, he’s putting in some long hours at his “part-time” job.

The task ahead of Means is tough, just as it is for most any small-town mayor. His city is short on revenues and long on needs. Its sewer system, for example, has been crumbling for years and fixing it won’t be easy or cheap. He knows obtaining assistance won’t be easy — state government is strapped for funds just like the cities are — but believes the “squeaky wheel gets the grease.” His time in Montgomery should help him know where to squeak loudest.

Means said he wondered before the campaign if he “had the fire” needed to run again. So far, so good.

<p>Larry Means lost his job as an Alabama state senator in the wake of an investigation into alleged corruption related to electronic gambling. Now, he's approaching Montgomery from a different angle.</p><p>Means was defeated in 2010, when Republicans rolled to a supermajority in both the House and Senate. He and several other long-serving Democrats from around the state lost their seats that year. His fate might have been the same without the gambling cloud hanging over him, but that's something we'll never know. What we do know is that Means and his fellow defendants were found not guilty. Prosecutors tried twice, but couldn't build a case that Means did anything wrong.</p><p>The legal battle was difficult for Means on many levels, and it would be easy to understand if he had decided never to delve into politics again. But he did, and Attalla voters returned him to the office he held before being elected to the state Senate. He was elected mayor without a runoff over three opponents.</p><p>Means has wasted little time in setting a new course for Attalla. He's already brought in a new police chief and director of public works, and while he may not be burning the midnight oil, he's putting in some long hours at his “part-time” job. </p><p>The task ahead of Means is tough, just as it is for most any small-town mayor. His city is short on revenues and long on needs. Its sewer system, for example, has been crumbling for years and fixing it won't be easy or cheap. He knows obtaining assistance won't be easy — state government is strapped for funds just like the cities are — but believes the “squeaky wheel gets the grease.” His time in Montgomery should help him know where to squeak loudest. </p><p>Means said he wondered before the campaign if he “had the fire” needed to run again. So far, so good.</p>